Senate District 22 candidates Simone Champagne, from left, foreground, and David Groner. Armond Schwing, from left, background Ken Squires and Ruben LeBlanc meet Wednesday before the debate at the Sliman Theater. Candidate Fred Mills also attended. — Lee Ball / The Daily Iberian

If the six candidates who have qualified to run for state Senate District 22 were not on the ballot, who would they vote for?

State Rep. Simone Champagne, R-Jeanerette, would vote for New Iberia insurance agent Armond Schwing, she said and he in turn would vote for her, he said. Tea Party member Ruben LeBlanc of New Iberia said he would vote for Jeanerette-based helicopter crop duster Ken Squires. And, the three remaining candidates, New Iberia lawyer David Groner, state Rep. Fred Mills, R-Parks, and Squires refused to pick one candidate.

There were many tough questions posed to the six candidates Wednesday night in a standing room- only Sliman Theater. It was the first public debate of the campaign, which was hosted by the Tea Party of South Louisiana.

The hour-and-a-half long debate included opening and closing statements, an issue-based round where all candidates answered broad philosophical-type questions, candidate specific questions and a “lightning round” where candidates could only provide a yes-no/agree or disagree answer.

In the lighting round, all candidates said they would oppose spending that is in conflict with free market principals, including public-private partnership.

Asked if they would support changing the current retirement program for state government employees to a 401(k) plan, Champagne, Groner, LeBlanc and Schwing said yes. Mills and Squires said no.

Not one of the six candidates have read the Louisiana State Constitution or the U.S. Constitution in their entirety since qualifying, they admitted, citing busy campaigning schedules. Groner, however, said he has read both several times over the years.

There are no circumstances where any of the candidates said they would support keeping abortion legal, they said, the only question and answers to garner applause from the audience.

In three words or less, Squires said “thinking out of the box” distinguishes him from the other candidates. Champagne said her tenacity distinguishes her. Groner said “economic development ability” is what sets him apart. LeBlanc said he offers “fresh, new ideas.” Mills said “I created jobs,” and Schwing said “not a politician” is what sets him apart.

After the debate, event organizers also held a straw poll. Of 258 people who attended the debate, 135 cast secret ballots. Of those, Mills garnered 47.4 percent, Schwing 20.7 percent, Groner 18.5 percent, Champagne 9.6 percent, LeBlanc 3.3 percent, Squires 0.7 percent and one attendee cast an undecided vote.

As the candidates enter the home stretch of the race, two more debates will be held next week. The first will be held by the St. Martin Parish Republican Executive Committee on Monday at the St. Martin Parish Council office. The second debate is scheduled for Tuesday, organized by the Greater Iberia Chamber of Commerce at the Sliman Theater.

Early voting in the special election continues until Saturday. The special election is Jan. 22 with a runoff, if necessary, scheduled Feb. 19.